Am I wrong for comparing my food addiction to a drug addiction?

[Wendydarling19 310]

I have some friends who are recovering heroin addicts (yes I used to float with the "bad crowd", no I never personally got into it, I had other addictions, food being one of them.) I was visiting with a few of them for a couple days and I told them about my low carb diet and they tried to say things like "oh just one slice of pizza wouldn't hurt". I told them that was like saying "oh just one bag of heroin wouldn't hurt and you wouldn't become addicted all over again." They got my point but one of them said to me "don't tell me your food addiction is the same thing". Well no its not the exact same but they are both addictions that are extremely hard to overcome. Chances of relapsing are very high with both. Both addictions could eventually kill you. Am I really wrong for using that exact analogy?

[sgreen721 17]

Absolutely not!! A food addiction is just as easy to relapse! Almost easier, because everywhere you go there is food!! EVERYWHERE!!!! You can't walk into a grocery store and buy heroin. An addiction is a addiction. Whether it's food, drugs, alcohol, or tabacco!!!

[B-52 7,113]

There is not a Surgical procedure to treat Drug addictions.....Fortunately for us who are/were over weight, obese, there is something, unlike what others need to do to combat other addictions.

I'm a product of the 60's and have a pretty good experience.....

[gowalking 10,790]

The definition of addiction is noted below. I see no difference between addiction to drugs or alcohol and addiction to food. I see people all the time just stop when they have had enough to eat. Stopping was always a struggle for me. Even now, I can stop but I think about eating more so I'm still a foodaholic, simply in recovery. How is that different from any other addiction. It's not.

Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.

Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

Heroin and Nicotine addictions are different, but they are still addictions. You are not saying that your addiction is the same as theirs, just that it shares properties in common with all addictions.

Think about this though, they can go cold turkey and yet we still have to eat.

[LI Lady 64]

Addiction is addiction. It comes in many forms, but is a struggle. food addiction is unique because we need food to survive. People with addictions with drugs or alcohol can quit the thing they are addicted to. Food addiction requires a different type of daily navigation to maintain recovery.

You were absolutely not wrong in your comparison.

[SandyM 1,956]

I deal with addictions all the time in my work. Personalities are what makes it the most different. With food addiction, we usually and nearly always publicly display the results of our addiction, causing us to become defensive and shamed. You never see a naturally skinny person complain about food addiction. It's not a problem for them. I had a counselor tell me once if alcohol causes you problems then you have an alcohol problem. Most recovering drug addicts like to wear their demon as a badge, food addicts spend a lot of time trying to put ours away.

Drugs and alcohol I put away for good along time ago, food is an addiction I have to learn to live with because it's something I can't live without. So food is an addiction...an acceptable one. It's obesity that's unacceptable.

[Christina.Rose 287]

It is definitely a powerful addiction. People on drugs can quit them.....not saying it's not hard....But we HAVE to eat. Every day forever! How frustrating is it to need your "drug" to survive? People who are not food addicts think overweight people are just lazy and gross and get what they deserve if they won't not eat. It is so hard to be in pain and struggling while society has more pity for someone who chooses to inject illicit drugs into themselves than someone who is wearing their consequences as fat. Blah blah blah.....You were right IMO

[dawalsh 919]

You were right to use that analogy! I'd say well said on your part. An addiction is an addiction is an addiction whether it be drugs, food or what have you! A food addiction can be just as lethal as a drug addiction.

[Bandista 7,466]

This is a great thread. Of course there is the given impossibility of just stopping food, vs. alcohol or heroin, etc. And how black and white all that is. We need to be able to eat healthily, so in that way it's a completely different animal to negotiate.....but our behaviors? I know that I have an addictive personality. I have to look at my decisions from that point of view.